All my life I have struggled with weight. I wanted to fit in and be like those girls on TV. Heck, not just those girls on TV, but also all the thin, curvy girls in my life. My whole life I've been trying to wear clothes that not only flattered my figure, but also trying to wear clothes that were in style. Especially lately. I've "needed" a new shirt that goes with the brown leggings I bought, and new boots because the other two pairs aren't the right color to go with the other outfit I have.
It isn't just me. This is an ongoing thing for many girls and women across the US and across the world.
Why is it that we want to look beautiful? Beauty, by definition, according to dictionary.com, is: "the quality present in a thing or person that gives intense pleasure or deep satisfaction to the mind, whether arising from sensory manifestations (as shape, color, sound, etc.), a meaningful design or pattern, or something else (as a personality in which high spiritual qualities are manifest) OR a beautiful person, especially a woman."
No wonder we want to be beautiful. Women are supposed to be beautiful. That's what the media says, that's what our friends say, that's what our families say, and that's what we say. But what if we aren't? I mean, what if our faces are not the same as other "beautiful women?" What if we have big nose or small eyes? What if we have bigger bodies than the "average" woman? Does that mean we're not beautiful?
According to the Bible, Genesis 24:15-21 says, "Before he had finished speaking, behold, Rebekah, who was born to Bethuel the son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother, came out with her water jar on her shoulder. The young woman was very attractive in appearance, a maiden whom no man had known. She went down to the spring and filled her jar and came up. Then the servant ran to her and said, 'Please give me a little water to drink from your jar.' She said, 'Drink, my Lord.' And she quickly let down her jar upon her hand and gave him a drink. When she had finished giving him a drink, she said, 'I will draw water for your camels also, until they have finished drinking.' So she quickly emptied her jar into the trough and ran again to the well to draw water, and she drew for all his camels. The man gazed at her in silence to learn whether the Lord had prospered his journey or not."
So Rebekah was very attractive in appearance. What was it that made her beautiful? Not just that. She gave the servant water without hesitation when he asked, and even gave his camels water, without being asked. Camels, just a little fun fact, drink 8 gallons of water. So she literally went back and forth from the well to give his camels water.
The beauty she had was not just in appearance, she showed patience, kindness, and humility.
How does that have to do with beauty? 1 Timothy 2:9-10 says, "Likewise also that women should also adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness--with good works."
Okay, of course this doesn't mean you should never braid your hair. But basically what Paul is saying, is that you don't need to braid your hair and wear gold to look beautiful--good works is what makes you beautiful.
In fact, 1 Peter 3:3-4 says, "Do not let your adorning be external--the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear--but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious."
Interestingly enough, I don't know how to do a fishtail or a French braid, and when I try to do regular braids, they always come out uneven. The new trend for girls is to braid your hair in all different kinds of ways. And yet, Peter is saying don't braid your hair and wear gold and certain clothes to be beautiful!
Not only that, but he even talks about how beauty is hidden; it's on the inside. A quiet and gentle spirit which is precious to God! Why quiet and gentle? What if we're loud and clumsy?
Well, many women or girls who are soft-spoken are usually the ones that get the guy. Some guys think that outspoken women are a turnoff. That being said, not all outspoken women are turnoffs. However, when a woman is constantly talking, being a gossip, a busy body, and being judgmental, it is not only annoying to others, but it is not glorifying to God because gossip is a sin (Proverbs 11:13, 1 Timothy 3:9-11).
So we know that beauty comes from the inside by good works, patience, kindness, gentleness, and quietness.
But what about our outward appearance? Does it still matter? And do we need to take care of our outward appearances?
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says, "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body."
Yes, we must take care of our body because it is the temple of God. We need to eat in moderation , brush our teeth, shower, and take care of our bodies because God gave us our body. And there are diseases and other things that come with not taking care of yourself.
Basically, what I'm trying to say is that we can freak out about being beautiful. We can wax, thread, tweeze, cake on our makeup, do our hair in the latest style, workout and go on diets. That's not a bad thing. However, if you're like me, and were making beauty your top priority, then you have a problem. If your beauty is worth spending all your money and time that you don't have time for other people or God, you should probably check yourself before you wreck yourself and your relationships--especially the one with God.
I became a beauty addict. I can admit that. I want to be pretty and thin just like those actresses and models (okay maybe not THAT skinny). But I just want to look good. I want to wear the best makeup and the best clothes. I want to do my hair like everyone else can. I still can, but making that my first priority is where I was wrong. God changed my view on beauty in just one hour. How that epiphany came to me I have no clue. All I know is that God can change a person and their views--especially if you're open to the change.
You are beautiful, on the outside and inside. Don't let the media tell you otherwise.
-Audriana
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